So, what is everyone thinking about this match. It will be good for Roger to play Rafa again whether he wins or loses.

I will predict a scoreline of 7-6(5) 2-6 6-3 for Roger.

Goo Rogi. Make it true. :) :worship:

Rogiman

03-03-2006, 05:16 PM

Whatever the score is gonna look like, I'm sure the flying pig is going to grunt alot and pump his fists.

He's going to play his usual defensive game 10 miles behind the baseline, and I hope Roger will punish him by hitting the angles.

People may think I'm overreacting, but in my opinion the way their matches go will define the kind of tennis young people will choose to play in the future (and we'll be watching): open attacking tennis, or one dimensional defensive tennis, including inappropriate behaviour on a tennis court.

RogiFan88

03-03-2006, 05:42 PM

But young players are already emulating and copying Rogi's style of tennis, ask Baggy! ;)

Rogiman

03-03-2006, 05:54 PM

But young players are already emulating and copying Rogi's style of tennis, ask Baggy! ;)
I'm talking about young kids, and Baggy, as nice as his game is, plays a double handed backhand.

RogiFan88

03-03-2006, 06:05 PM

Doesn't matter that Baggy plays a two-handed bh, he does admire and look up to Rogi.

Rogiman

03-03-2006, 06:34 PM

Doesn't matter that Baggy plays a two-handed bh, he does admire and look up to Rogi.
Alright, but if Grunting Pig will keep winning their meetings kids will eventually think: "playing ugly is more efficient, why bother attacking and charging the net, I'd rather stay glued to the baseline, and maybe jump and grunt with every shot I hit", like uNIVERSe mAn says: "if it works, use it".

nobama

03-03-2006, 06:48 PM

I just hope it's a good match with not a lot of errors. But regardless of who wins GM will suck tomorrow, so I might have to stay away from it for a couple days.

Skyward

03-03-2006, 07:26 PM

Alright, but if Grunting Pig will keep winning their meetings kids will eventually think: "playing ugly is more efficient, why bother attacking and charging the net, I'd rather stay glued to the baseline, and maybe jump and grunt with every shot I hit", like uNIVERSe mAn says: "if it works, use it".

Don't worry about that. People 'll adopt the style that fits their skills and physics. But truly great players are never somebody's clones.

RogiFan88

03-03-2006, 08:09 PM

Sure, use whatever works, that's fine by me -- win any way you can -- a win's a win no matter how it's achieved.

KoOlMaNsEaN

03-03-2006, 09:59 PM

Sure, use whatever works, that's fine by me -- win any way you can -- a win's a win no matter how it's achieved.

Exactly. I just want him to beat Rafa.
Rafael is the one player I worry about when it comes to someone beating Roger because he's proven he can.

GO ROGER!

RogiFan88

03-03-2006, 10:01 PM

Rafa knows he can beat Rogi because he has and their h-t-h favours him -- unlike some other players who "think" they can beat Rogi... but never do... whatever. We'll see who plays better tomorrow. S be interesting anyway.

Doris Loeffel

03-03-2006, 11:30 PM

Well I have faith in Roger and I believe that he learnt his lesson from the last two matches he played against Nadal (I don't really count the first one as he was suffering from a sunstroke then...)

I wish I could watch this match live as I'm sure it's going to be a good one!!

Allleezzz Roger good luck!!

LCeh

03-04-2006, 01:53 AM

I have faith in Roger. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins this in 2 sets, though I would probably expect a 3 setter. But like Mirkaland said, no matter what happens tomorrow, I am not going anywhere near GM. ;)

RogiFan88

03-04-2006, 02:27 AM

Since I won't even be around during this final tomorrow, I'll cheer on ROGI now:

GO, ROGI, GO! Time for REVENGE!! Go for the 4th-in-a-row!! ;)

NYCtennisfan

03-04-2006, 02:39 AM

I just hope it's a good match with not a lot of errors. But regardless of who wins GM will suck tomorrow, so I might have to stay away from it for a couple days.

If Federer wins, it will be about a 10 page thread.
If Rafa wins, it will be about a 15 page thread.

If Fed wins after a questionable line call, it will make GM EXPLODE all together.

NYCtennisfan

03-04-2006, 02:42 AM

Well I have faith in Roger and I believe that he learnt his lesson from the last two matches he played against Nadal (I don't really count the first one as he was suffering from a sunstroke then...)

I wish I could watch this match live as I'm sure it's going to be a good one!!

Allleezzz Roger good luck!!

I think Federer also learned a lot from Blake's match against Nadal at the USO. Blake did what Federer did not in Miami: attack the open FH side instead of staying away from it. Yeah, yeah, I know, the USO surface plays much faster, but the above was the key.

If you take a look at the Fed-Rafa match in Miami, Fed kept on hitting to a cornered Nadal BH instead of attacking the open AD side of the court with a FH and coming in. Blake did this over and over again and beat up on Rafa. Fed kept on staying away from that FH and eventually lost control of a lot of points he would've won against anyone else because he wouldn't worry about anyone's particular stroke.

LCeh

03-04-2006, 02:43 AM

If Federer wins, it will be about a 10 page thread.
If Rafa wins, it will be about a 15 page thread.

If Fed wins after a questionable line call, it will make GM EXPLODE all together.

:haha:

Quoted for truth. :p

yanchr

03-04-2006, 02:49 AM

If Federer wins, it will be about a 10 page thread.
If Rafa wins, it will be about a 15 page thread.
I think you are downlooking the potential of GM :lol: ;)

RogiFan88

03-04-2006, 02:54 AM

And this isn't even the RG Final!! ;)

LCeh

03-04-2006, 02:55 AM

Laura! :D :wavey:

Get on msn. :p

MissMoJo

03-04-2006, 03:25 AM

If Federer wins, it will be about a 10 page thread.
If Rafa wins, it will be about a 15 page thread.

If Fed wins after a questionable line call, it will make GM EXPLODE all together.
:lol: not even counting the multiple troll threads that will come with any of those results

Federerthebest

03-04-2006, 05:07 AM

:lol: not even counting the multiple troll threads that will come with any of those results

look out for some of mine if federer wins:wavey:

lsy

03-04-2006, 05:27 AM

If Fed wins after a questionable line call, it will make GM EXPLODE all together.

:haha: :haha: :haha:

I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading that from the same few posters who got so sour each time Rogi wins!

Anyway, does anyone know if there's some livestream so I can watch the match LIVE instead of seeing delayed on Eurosport cause I don't have Eurosport2 which will broadcast the final in live..

I've downloaded some TV Players where are about 800 channels and more.. But I don't know if and which channels are going to show it live... :confused:
So people who live in Thailand or in China or somewhere there, where are you going to see this match? And if anyone has any suggestions and is going to use livestream also...or just knows better about stuff like this, let me know! :cool:

the match up for roger is just terrible, i know roger is definately the better tennis player its just the match up. for this reason i expect roger to lose(and the fact that hes in poor form) and fairly easily. obviously i hope iam wrong though.

WyveN

03-04-2006, 11:22 AM

My bet is on Roger to get broken on his first service game :o

Only thing more certain is nadal not hitting a single volley the whole match ;).

I think roger will win if he gets a good start, he has started really badly in all of their matches so far.

Fedex

03-04-2006, 12:39 PM

He's going to play his usual defensive game 10 miles behind the baseline
:lol:

Fedex

03-04-2006, 12:41 PM

I'm talking about young kids, and Baggy, as nice as his game is, plays a double handed backhand.
He does, but the rest of his game has alot similarities with Roger's.

Fedex

03-04-2006, 12:42 PM

Alright, but if Grunting Pig will keep winning their meetings kids will eventually think: "playing ugly is more efficient, why bother attacking and charging the net, I'd rather stay glued to the baseline, and maybe jump and grunt with every shot I hit", like uNIVERSe mAn says: "if it works, use it".
:lol: :yeah:

Fedex

03-04-2006, 12:45 PM

If Federer wins, it will be about a 10 page thread.
If Rafa wins, it will be about a 15 page thread.

If Fed wins after a questionable line call, it will make GM EXPLODE all together.
:yeah: Yes, I can picture what GM will be like, right now. And its not going to be a very pleasant place, I might add; but then again, when it is it? :lol:

Saturn66

03-04-2006, 12:46 PM

Roger in 3 sets.

Fedex

03-04-2006, 12:47 PM

Only thing more certain is nadal not hitting a single volley the whole match ;).

I think roger will win if he gets a good start, he has started really badly in all of their matches so far.
Roger's going to use atleast one dropshot in the match, so he'll have to. ;)

Fedex

03-04-2006, 12:55 PM

Does anyone know if this match is being shown anywhere online?(via livestream).

bokehlicious

03-04-2006, 03:26 PM

My bet is on Roger to get broken on his first service game :o

You lost :p ;)

Skyward

03-04-2006, 05:25 PM

I think roger will win if he gets a good start, he has started really badly in all of their matches so far.

:sad: What are your thoughts now?

Brianna

03-04-2006, 07:00 PM

It was a disappointing loss for Roger but such is life. Good luck Roger for the rest of the season. I will be backing you all the way.

landoud

03-04-2006, 07:15 PM

hard luck roger.... focus on the next tournament

World Beater

03-04-2006, 07:38 PM

Only thing more certain is nadal not hitting a single volley the whole match ;).

I think roger will win if he gets a good start, he has started really badly in all of their matches so far.

nothing is certain is it...nadal hit a volley winner :eek:

back to the practice court, roger

SUKTUEN

03-05-2006, 10:37 AM

I am so disappointed about it, before the match I think Roger is has a Very good prepare of how to beat Nadal, I think Rohus will help him, but the true is Not. :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

avocadoe

03-05-2006, 12:37 PM

It's okay Roger, lets get him next time :) I love him win or lose. I liked his comments. He was too inconsistent, and first serve went off. I was very relieved he didn't say his ankle was especially a problem.

nobama

03-05-2006, 01:14 PM

He will get him next time. He came awfully close this time. I loved what they said on The Tennis Channel last night. The announcers at TTC Open in Las Vegas called it a "classic" match and said Roger and Rafa are head and shoulders above everyone else. I kept thinking 'yeah you won't see anything like that in Vegas'.

TennisGrandSlam

03-05-2006, 01:28 PM

Roger must train with Left-hander.

SUKTUEN

03-05-2006, 04:08 PM

find a left hand to play

lsy

11-17-2006, 04:39 PM

I don't bother to count this is part ??? now.

I hope Rogi will beat Nadal tomorrow and then draw a roast pig and strike it out on the camera :)

Sunset of Age

11-17-2006, 06:19 PM

I don't bother to count this is part ??? now.

I hope Rogi will beat Nadal tomorrow and then draw a roast pig and strike it out on the camera :)

Good one! :devil:
I tend to think Rogi is too classy to do anything like that, though. :worship:

TenHound

11-17-2006, 07:04 PM

Am I the only one around here who isn't worried about Roger beating Thugs tomorrow? Roger is much closer to full strength than Thugs, playing better on this surface, is 7-0 in titles since Wimby, Thugs withdrew from Basel so he wouldn't lose to him there...No Sweat...Pour some fine wine, relax and enjoy...

A final v. Nalbie since death of his godson yesterday, is another story altogether...

Does anyone know which semi is first so I can plan my evening? My guess is Blake's since it's less anticipated.

Nando_L

11-17-2006, 07:09 PM

C'mon Roger!

Bremen

11-17-2006, 08:01 PM

Am I the only one around here who isn't worried about Roger beating Thugs tomorrow? Roger is much closer to full strength than Thugs, playing better on this surface, is 7-0 in titles since Wimby, Thugs withdrew from Basel so he wouldn't lose to him there...No Sweat...Pour some fine wine, relax and enjoy...

A final v. Nalbie since death of his godson yesterday, is another story altogether...

Does anyone know which semi is first so I can plan my evening? My guess is Blake's since it's less anticipated.

Well I am a little worried but less so than I have been in the past. Rogi has a great chance to win here. Don't blow it!!

rofe

11-17-2006, 08:06 PM

One win this year is not enough for me to be absolutely sure that Roger has exorcised the Nadal demon from his mind. The good thing is that I think Roger is in Nadal's mind as well so hopefully better tennis will prevail.

WF4EVER

11-17-2006, 08:27 PM

Am I the only one around here who isn't worried about Roger beating Thugs tomorrow? Roger is much closer to full strength than Thugs, playing better on this surface, is 7-0 in titles since Wimby, Thugs withdrew from Basel so he wouldn't lose to him there...No Sweat...Pour some fine wine, relax and enjoy...

A final v. Nalbie since death of his godson yesterday, is another story altogether...

Does anyone know which semi is first so I can plan my evening? My guess is Blake's since it's less anticipated.

I applaud your faith but I really don't believe Roger will win. Personally I couldn't care less if it's a good match; I just care for Roger to win, nothing else.

I'm not impressed with Nadal. I'm sick of his scrapping and scrambling and for Pete's sake how can a win against Robredo, whom many consider to be the eowrst player in Shanghai, be considered encouraging. But Roger is not playing like he did in Basel or Madrid and his form here, or lack thereof, may cost him the opportunity to retain the MC.

Bremen

11-17-2006, 08:39 PM

I applaud your faith but I really don't believe Roger will win. Personally I couldn't care less if it's a good match; I just care for Roger to win, nothing else.

I'm not impressed with Nadal. I'm sick of his scrapping and scrambling and for Pete's sake how can a win against Robredo, whom many consider to be the eowrst player in Shanghai, be considered encouraging. But Roger is not playing like he did in Basel or Madrid and his form here, or lack thereof, may cost him the opportunity to retain the MC.

He usually does play better in the later rounds. Remember the semi final beatdown against nalby?

rofe

11-17-2006, 08:41 PM

I applaud your faith but I really don't believe Roger will win. Personally I couldn't care less if it's a good match; I just care for Roger to win, nothing else.

I'm not impressed with Nadal. I'm sick of his scrapping and scrambling and for Pete's sake how can a win against Robredo, whom many consider to be the eowrst player in Shanghai, be considered encouraging. But Roger is not playing like he did in Basel or Madrid and his form here, or lack thereof, may cost him the opportunity to retain the MC.

Thing is, the Roger playing Ivan yesterday would beat the Nadal playing against Davy quite easily. The only reason Roger may struggle is if he lets Nadal get to him.

PamV

11-17-2006, 10:53 PM

Thing is, the Roger playing Ivan yesterday would beat the Nadal playing against Davy quite easily. The only reason Roger may struggle is if he lets Nadal get to him.

That's true, and I think that Roddick or Nalbandian would also have stood a good chance to beat Nadal with how they were playing. Eventhough Davy said he was not physically ready to be at the TMC he still stayed even with Nadal most of the match.

The problem is the intangibles and odd flukes that affect a match, and the gamesmenship.

atheneglaukopis

11-17-2006, 11:04 PM

Does anyone know which semi is first so I can plan my evening? My guess is Blake's since it's less anticipated.Nope, Roger's on first. 3 am for me. :)

Coop

11-17-2006, 11:18 PM

Well it wont be easy tomorrow but I have faith, they still havent got clay in Shanghai so its all good :devil:

refero*fervens

11-18-2006, 01:35 AM

OMG, I started from the beginning of this thread and didn't realise it was from before (although it did say part IV, silly me :P) and I went to the second, third pages and was all: WHAT? How could he lose, I thought they hadn't played yet?? Then I figured out that it was a bumped thread. :smash: me.

Absolute best of luck to Roger. :yeah: Just play your tennis!

avocadoe

11-18-2006, 02:52 AM

Good luck Roger, the bookies know you will do it :)

LCeh

11-18-2006, 03:20 AM

To be honest, I really feel that Roger has a very good chance of winning here as long as he plays well. Rafa hasn't really been playing great, so Roger needs to take advantage of that.

Good luck tomorrow Roger. I will wake up at 6am to cheer you on. :)

PamV

11-18-2006, 04:57 AM

To be honest, I really feel that Roger has a very good chance of winning here as long as he plays well. Rafa hasn't really been playing great, so Roger needs to take advantage of that.

Good luck tomorrow Roger. I will wake up at 6am to cheer you on. :)

Logically Roger should have more than a good chance of winning. 4 of the 6 times he lost to Nadal it was on clay. Of the 2 losses on hard court: the loss in Miami '04 was when Roger had just come from winning IW and he was sick and it was the first time he ever played Nadal. The loss in Dubai '06 made no sense. I think that's why we get nervous. Despite the fact that Roger looks much better than Nadal there are still cases when the unexplicable happens.

LCeh

11-18-2006, 05:19 AM

Logically Roger should have more than a good chance of winning. 4 of the 6 times he lost to Nadal it was on clay. Of the 2 losses on hard court: the loss in Miami '04 was when Roger had just come from winning IW and he was sick and it was the first time he ever played Nadal. The loss in Dubai '06 made no sense. I think that's why we get nervous. Despite the fact that Roger looks much better than Nadal there are still cases when the unexplicable happens.

Exactly. You can tell that I am not all that confident in my post, and that's because something weird always seems to happen. But obviously I think we gotta credit Nadal for putting the pressure on Roger which makes him make uncharacteristic mistakes. But even with that said, I am almost confident that Roger can win tomorrow, unless something absurd happens again, in which I will never make another prediction when Roger faces Nadal ever again. ;)

victory

11-18-2006, 06:42 AM

God, I'm very excited now. Beat Nadal and go to the final, Roger.
You're the best, always the best.

TenHound

11-18-2006, 07:15 AM

Dubai does make sense - his feet were just finishing healing & he didn't have his confidence back yet, even though his mvmt. was improving. Remember way after the fact he admitted that the reason he broke down during AO victory celebration was Not primarily 'cuz of Laver, but 'cuz he didn't think he could win it 'cuz his feet weren't healed yet since he played China last yr. He didn't return to form til IW this yr. That flicker of a doubt is enough doubt to lose a close one at the end.

But this is Roger's surface, ball will stay low & take his spins & slices well. RN's admitted that he doesn't have any confidence now. His just withdrew from Basel rather than get his brains beaten in...Relax & enjoy Roger trashing him...We all deserve it...

Eden

11-18-2006, 05:09 PM

I'm so happy for Roger that he was able to beat Rafa at the end of the year :)

SUKTUEN

11-21-2006, 10:55 PM

he will beat Nadal again in 2007!

nobama

11-28-2006, 12:44 PM

Roger and Rafael played 6 matches this year. If you look at the stats for those matches Roger won more total points and games. 714 points/116 games compared to Rafael's 699 points/112 games. I really hope that if/when they meet next year Roger has more confidence and belief that he can beat Nadal - on any surface.

bokehlicious

11-28-2006, 01:38 PM

I really hope that if/when they meet next year Roger has more confidence and belief that he can beat Nadal - on any surface.

I think so :) Federer himself stated that especially the Shanghai victory helped him to figure out how to play Nadal in the future and hopefully he'll be able to adapt his game to prevail on clay as well.

SUKTUEN

11-28-2006, 03:48 PM

Roger said he will not play too much clay tour like 2006~
if Roger can beat Nadal in clay one time, I trust Roger will not be lost to Nadal again.

RogiFan88

11-28-2006, 07:03 PM

I think so :) Federer himself stated that especially the Shanghai victory helped him to figure out how to play Nadal in the future and hopefully he'll be able to adapt his game to prevail on clay as well.

meanwhile, Rafa has been practising his serve for the last 4 days -- he's done 1000 serves so far... no vacation for him, just hard training under Uncle "no time to lose" Toni [while Rogi lies on a beach in Dubai... ] :p

PamV

11-29-2006, 01:12 AM

Dubai does make sense - his feet were just finishing healing & he didn't have his confidence back yet, even though his mvmt. was improving. Remember way after the fact he admitted that the reason he broke down during AO victory celebration was Not primarily 'cuz of Laver, but 'cuz he didn't think he could win it 'cuz his feet weren't healed yet since he played China last yr. He didn't return to form til IW this yr. That flicker of a doubt is enough doubt to lose a close one at the end.

But this is Roger's surface, ball will stay low & take his spins & slices well. RN's admitted that he doesn't have any confidence now. His just withdrew from Basel rather than get his brains beaten in...Relax & enjoy Roger trashing him...We all deserve it...

TenHound, I see your point about Roger's feet. However Dubai was a fast court which should have favored Roger. He won the first set so easily and then through out the rest of the match he was actually holding more easily than Nadal. He had a couple of loose service games where it looked like he wasn't paying enough attention. Seems to me there was a time out from Nadal involved too. So the match didn't seem to make sense given how Roger played extraordinarily in the first set and overall it looked like he was playing better than Nadal. In fact, I think Roger won more points than Nadal in that match, but still lost. The only thing I can imagine that happened was that Nadal flipped a switch and suddenly began to serve better in the second set and it took Roger by surprise.

refero*fervens

11-29-2006, 07:28 AM

TenHound, I see your point about Roger's feet. However Dubai was a fast court which should have favored Roger. He won the first set so easily and then through out the rest of the match he was actually holding more easily than Nadal. He had a couple of loose service games where it looked like he wasn't paying enough attention. Seems to me there was a time out from Nadal involved too. So the match didn't seem to make sense given how Roger played extraordinarily in the first set and overall it looked like he was playing better than Nadal. In fact, I think Roger won more points than Nadal in that match, but still lost. The only thing I can imagine that happened was that Nadal flipped a switch and suddenly began to serve better in the second set and it took Roger by surprise.

Yeah he did :sad: as in Rome. But it's starting to look better! :D

bokehlicious

11-29-2006, 07:45 AM

meanwhile, Rafa has been practising his serve for the last 4 days -- he's done 1000 serves so far... no vacation for him, just hard training under Uncle "no time to lose" Toni [while Rogi lies on a beach in Dubai... ] :p

Nice to see both Nadal and Roger bother working on their weaknesses... :) Looking forward to next season to watch some great fights again :cool:

nobama

11-29-2006, 12:15 PM

Roger should not have lost in Dubai. Period. I can't see a match like that happening again because Roger has more confidence now. And the draw there was crap so Nadal (and Roger) had a pretty easy ride to the finals.

PamV

11-29-2006, 01:52 PM

Roger should not have lost in Dubai. Period. I can't see a match like that happening again because Roger has more confidence now. And the draw there was crap so Nadal (and Roger) had a pretty easy ride to the finals.

I hope that Dubai type scenario won't happen again. Roger should know what to expect now, hopefully. It is also interesting the way Nadal looked so ordinary against Davydenko at the TMC and even feeble against Blake. Then he acted completely more awake when playing Roger. I even wonder if Nadal held back in his RR matches in order to try to fool Roger into not expecting a fight from him in the SF?

nobama

11-29-2006, 02:56 PM

I hope that Dubai type scenario won't happen again. Roger should know what to expect now, hopefully. It is also interesting the way Nadal looked so ordinary against Davydenko at the TMC and even feeble against Blake. Then he acted completely more awake when playing Roger. I even wonder if Nadal held back in his RR matches in order to try to fool Roger into not expecting a fight from him in the SF?No, I think like Roger he steps it up in the really important matches. And he probably needed a few matches under his belt to get into the groove.

One interesting thing is in the 71 matches Nadal played this year 22 times he lost the first set. Maybe he's just a slow starter but it amazes me how many times he looks down and out in a match and then by the 3rd/4th/5th set it's his opponent who's looking that way. I know no one would intentionally drop the first set of a match but I do wonder sometimes when Nadal's playing crappy, not serving well in the first set and then all of a sudden it's like a different player out there.

RogiFan88

11-29-2006, 03:26 PM

Rafa w NEVER hold back or tank -- it goes vs. Uncle Toni's rules of working hard and always giving your 100% [or now, it's your 120%]. Re: his match vs. Kolya: Kolya has been playing well, just winning Paris, and he had never played Rafa before so they were both testing each other out -- in the end, Kolya admitted [actually even before the match] he was tired and ran out of steam from playing 90+ matches this year [like Kafelnikov] -- but Rafa tried.

As for the Blake match, there were articles that said it may have been in Team Nadal's well thought-out plan for him to lose that match... but who knows? After all, Rafa is now 0-3 vs. James and for him to lose it w not have been unusual, esp for indoor h/c. ;)

PamV

11-29-2006, 04:17 PM

One interesting thing is in the 71 matches Nadal played this year 22 times he lost the first set.

I think Nadal is very nervous in general as evidenced by all his ticks and time outs etc. I think that he often will play badly in a first set just because of nerves alone. Once he loses the first set then he probably starts to forget about what it all means and then plays more normally.

Another example of his neves......losing the 2nd set TB to Blake at love in the TMC. He also lost his firs set TB to Gasquet at the MC 2005 when he couldn't win any points on his own serve.

PamV

11-29-2006, 04:21 PM

Rafa w NEVER hold back or tank -- it goes vs. Uncle Toni's rules of working hard and always giving your 100% [or now, it's your 120%]. Re: his match vs. Kolya: Kolya has been playing well, just winning Paris, and he had never played Rafa before so they were both testing each other out -- in the end, Kolya admitted [actually even before the match] he was tired and ran out of steam from playing 90+ matches this year [like Kafelnikov] -- but Rafa tried.

As for the Blake match, there were articles that said it may have been in Team Nadal's well thought-out plan for him to lose that match... but who knows? After all, Rafa is now 0-3 vs. James and for him to lose it w not have been unusual, esp for indoor h/c. ;)

I don't think Nadal would think of this on his own.....but it's possible Uncle Toni would have that strategy. He might say....save your energy and appear lack luster in the RR rounds and then come on like gang busters against Federer.

Oh I don't know about the Blake match either. Blake was playing so well in that match and the only reason Nadal got ahead in the 2nd set was that Blake appeared to have a let down at the start of the 2nd set. Once Blake got his 2nd wind he was in charge and dictating the points.

rofe

11-29-2006, 04:59 PM

Roger said he will not play too much clay tour like 2006~
if Roger can beat Nadal in clay one time, I trust Roger will not be lost to Nadal again.

Do you have a link to the article that says that or did you hear it from his mouth when you met him in Shanghai? ;)

RogiFan88

11-29-2006, 05:17 PM

I don't think Nadal would think of this on his own.....but it's possible Uncle Toni would have that strategy. He might say....save your energy and appear lack luster in the RR rounds and then come on like gang busters against Federer.

Oh I don't know about the Blake match either. Blake was playing so well in that match and the only reason Nadal got ahead in the 2nd set was that Blake appeared to have a let down at the start of the 2nd set. Once Blake got his 2nd wind he was in charge and dictating the points.

Rafa really s have won that 2nd set vs. James, in fact, he s have bagelled him! But James has improved in that he hangs in now, even when down, to his credit, and also a reason why he won 5 titles this year AND made the TMC, so good for him!

Nice to see some other guys actually showing signs of improvement, like Blake and Gonzalez, even Gasquet and Ancic.

nobama

11-29-2006, 07:10 PM

Rafa really s have won that 2nd set vs. James, in fact, he s have bagelled him! But James has improved in that he hangs in now, even when down, to his credit, and also a reason why he won 5 titles this year AND made the TMC, so good for him!

Nice to see some other guys actually showing signs of improvement, like Blake and Gonzalez, even Gasquet and Ancic.I acutally thought that Blake/Nadal match was an ugly match. For a while I wondered if I was watching the WTA with all the service breaks. I think Blake really needs to work on his serve. He ended the year at #39 for 1st serve %, #24 in service games won, #26 in 1st serve points won, #21 in 2nd serve points won, and #20 in break points saved. Those aren't great stats for a top 5 player.

Compare that with Roger who is in the top 5 in all 10 categories (and #1 in 4 of them) except 1st serve % and break points converted.

PamV

11-29-2006, 11:31 PM

I acutally thought that Blake/Nadal match was an ugly match. For a while I wondered if I was watching the WTA with all the service breaks. I think Blake really needs to work on his serve. He ended the year at #39 for 1st serve %, #24 in service games won, #26 in 1st serve points won, #21 in 2nd serve points won, and #20 in break points saved. Those aren't great stats for a top 5 player.

Compare that with Roger who is in the top 5 in all 10 categories (and #1 in 4 of them) except 1st serve % and break points converted.

I thought Blake played fabulously in the first set against Nadal.....very agressive with good serving. At the start of the second set Blake's level went down a notch and that often happens after the relief of winning a fist set. Once Blake got his level back up he was outplaying Nadal again like in the first set. I think Blakes serves as well as he can given what he has to work with. He's not the biggest guy out there. He showed great mental strength to come back in the second set.

SUKTUEN

11-30-2006, 06:26 AM

Do you have a link to the article that says that or did you hear it from his mouth when you met him in Shanghai? ;)